Authorities say the sexual assault and murder of a lesbian couple in Shenandoah National Park nearly 30 years ago is believed to be the work of a convicted serial rapist.
Federal investigators say Walter Leo Jackson Sr. murdered, raped and slit the throats of Laura “Lorrie” Winans and Julian “Julie” Williams. Their bodies were found in a campsite at a Virginia park on June 1, 1996, and DNA testing linked Jackson to the crimes.
Police believe the women were murdered by Jackson on May 24, 1996.
Authorities resumed efforts to solve the case in 2021, when genetic evidence recovered from the women’s bodies and clothing was submitted to the National DNA Index and matched with Jackson, who was 70 years old at the time of his death six years ago in an Ohio prison.
“Despite the DNA match, we took further steps and directly compared evidence from the murder victim to the cheek swab containing Jackson’s DNA,” the FBI said. “As a result, the suspect was confirmed as the killer and we are finally able to tell the victim’s family that they now know who is responsible for this heinous crime.”
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said he hoped the arrests would “provide some solace to the families of Mr. Winans and Mr. Williams” after 28 years.
Jackson, who was known as “Leo,” had a lengthy criminal record that included kidnapping, rape and assault.
Jackson, a house painter by trade, was said to have been an avid hiker who regularly visited Shenandoah National Park.
At the time of the murder, “Jackson was believed to have been driving a 1984 Chestnut Brown AMC Eagle 30,” the FBI said. “Jackson subsequently drove a 1979 Ford Econoline 250 van. Jackson was known to use temporary license plates, tamper with license plates and frequently switch vehicles.”
